2025 All Blacks Squad v France
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@frugby said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I think this is probably worthy of its own thread, but feel free to merge if not - purely on the squad v France to see how close to 35/35 anyone can get - this is what I am predicting. I'd imagine the squad is now locked in barring injuries - one game shouldn't really change anything.
PROPS:
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
Ethan de Groot (Highlanders)
George Bower (Crusaders)
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
Pasilio Tosi (Crusaders)HOOKERS:
Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
George Bell (Crusaders)LOCKS:
Scott Barrett (c) (Crusaders)
Tupou Vaa'i (Chiefs)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Fabian Holland (Highlanders)LOOSE FORWARDS:
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders)
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
Dalton Papalii (Blues)
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
Christian Lio-Willie (Crusaders)HALFBACKS:
Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes)
Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
Noah Hotham (Crusaders)FIRST FIVES:
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Beauden Barrett (Blues)MIDFIELDERS:
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
Rieko Ioane (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
David Havili (Crusaders)OUTSIDE BACKS:
Caleb Clarke (Blues)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Ruben Love (Hurricanes)Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Simon Parker (Chiefs), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)
I think you’re pretty close but I’d have Jacobsen over Lio-Willie. I think Kirifi is the most deserving loosie in the country but I can see him missing out.
I’m also not sold on Hotham but can see his potential and I definitely don’t want Christie anywhere near the squad.
Also Tosi is a Cane not a Crusader. 😁
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Front Five - Yes, that's what it will be.
Back Row - Is Simon Parker definitely out? That's a shame. I rate him above Finau now. Christian Lio-Willie and Luke Jacobson are competing for one slot I suspect.
Half Backs and First Five - Yes.
Midfield - Yes, but AJ Lam might get in if there is an injury.
Back Three - God knows. Will Jordan and Ruben Love will make it but not much Test quality in form and injury free beyond that. I think the selectors will give Sevu Reece another chance
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@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@frugby said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I think this is probably worthy of its own thread, but feel free to merge if not - purely on the squad v France to see how close to 35/35 anyone can get - this is what I am predicting. I'd imagine the squad is now locked in barring injuries - one game shouldn't really change anything.
PROPS:
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
Ethan de Groot (Highlanders)
George Bower (Crusaders)
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
Pasilio Tosi (Crusaders)HOOKERS:
Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
George Bell (Crusaders)LOCKS:
Scott Barrett (c) (Crusaders)
Tupou Vaa'i (Chiefs)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Fabian Holland (Highlanders)LOOSE FORWARDS:
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders)
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
Dalton Papalii (Blues)
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
Christian Lio-Willie (Crusaders)HALFBACKS:
Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes)
Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
Noah Hotham (Crusaders)FIRST FIVES:
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Beauden Barrett (Blues)MIDFIELDERS:
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
Rieko Ioane (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
David Havili (Crusaders)OUTSIDE BACKS:
Caleb Clarke (Blues)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Ruben Love (Hurricanes)Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Simon Parker (Chiefs), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)
Jacobsen for Lio-Willie.
Ultra conservatism vs a newbie from the Crusaders. I have a feeling the former will win out. Other than that spot on.
If Jacobson makes it, it'll most likely be in place of Finau/DP I'd say.
JRK seems like a long shot, I wouldn't be surprised to see Fihaki or Narawa selected instead (if Narawa has a blinder tonight).
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@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@frugby said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I think this is probably worthy of its own thread, but feel free to merge if not - purely on the squad v France to see how close to 35/35 anyone can get - this is what I am predicting. I'd imagine the squad is now locked in barring injuries - one game shouldn't really change anything.
PROPS:
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
Ethan de Groot (Highlanders)
George Bower (Crusaders)
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
Pasilio Tosi (Crusaders)HOOKERS:
Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
George Bell (Crusaders)LOCKS:
Scott Barrett (c) (Crusaders)
Tupou Vaa'i (Chiefs)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Fabian Holland (Highlanders)LOOSE FORWARDS:
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders)
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
Dalton Papalii (Blues)
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
Christian Lio-Willie (Crusaders)HALFBACKS:
Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes)
Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
Noah Hotham (Crusaders)FIRST FIVES:
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Beauden Barrett (Blues)MIDFIELDERS:
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
Rieko Ioane (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
David Havili (Crusaders)OUTSIDE BACKS:
Caleb Clarke (Blues)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Ruben Love (Hurricanes)Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Simon Parker (Chiefs), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders)
Jacobsen for Lio-Willie.
Ultra conservatism vs a newbie from the Crusaders. I have a feeling the former will win out. Other than that spot on.
If Jacobson makes it, it'll most likely be in place of Finau/DP I'd say.
JRK seems like a long shot, I wouldn't be surprised to see Fihaki or Narawa selected instead (if Narawa has a blinder tonight).
No. Razor will want three shades of vanilla in the squad with Blackadder, Papalii and Jacobsen.
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@KiwiMurph JRK is three years younger than those three - which I think is quite significant. I don't think it really matters which one we pick, though as a winger I think Lam would be a little uninspiring. He wouldn't let us down, but hardly has the X-Factor.
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I think one thing in Papali'i's favour is he's one of the most capped forwards in the country and after Savea he is the most capped loose forward.
Razor seems to think experience is important.
From the available players there will only be 1 hooker, 1 prop, 3 locks and 1 loose forward with more caps.
Apart from those forwards with more caps than him most forwards have bugger all caps.
He was also the Blue's best player this year so its not like he's been in bad form.
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@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
No. Razor will want three shades of vanilla in the squad with Blackadder, Papalii and Jacobsen.
Luke Brittain Jacobson methinks..
Vanilla?
Quite an exciting international smorgasbord of Scottish, Samoan, and Swedish names. -
What says to me JRK is right in there is the timing of his re-signing announcement and the period it is for. It was at the same time as several other All Blacks were being announced and for three years. Most other Super players just get re-signed for 1 - 2 years.
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I think Leroy Carter is worth a shot on the Wing, but I've no idea if he's in the selectors thinking. He's raw but he's got potential.
Clarke's out of from.
Tangitau is injured.
Telea is going offshore.
Reece is in decline.
Jordan is a fullback these days.
Not sure JRK is Test quality.
Not sold on Fihaki.
Narawa's not really busy enough for me. But he might be worth another go.Thin pickings on the wing.
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@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I think Leroy Carter is worth a shot on the Wing, but I've no idea if he's in the selectors thinking. He's raw but he's got potential.
Clarke's out of from.
Tangitau is injured.
Telea is going offshore.
Reece is in decline.
Jordan is a fullback these days.
Not sure JRK is Test quality.
Not sold on Fihaki.
Narawa's not really busy enough for me. But he might be worth another go.Thin pickings on the wing.
They are probably really selective of who the debutants/new players are. There is a bit to read into contract re-signings/lengths. Carter has been great. Especially at the end of a quality backline. He is a speciality winger though. If they view Tangitau is a better option. There is enough coverage to not have to blood another debutant. JRK is a 14/15. He hasn't had the opportunity to play on the wing. I think Carter is similar to a Tavatavanawai top quality player. Just not an All Black.
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@SouthernMann said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Just not an All Black.
That's how I feel about JRK
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@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@SouthernMann said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Just not an All Black.
That's how I feel about JRK
I'm not sure on whether JRK is there either. I'm just reading on the basis of timing on announcements, and what isn't being stated. I think he has the potential to be a strong 14/15. He just needs an injury free season.
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I wouldn't disagree with this. I'd love to see Fusitoa or Norris get a look in but I'm assuming Razor will opt for Crusaders where there's any ambiguity. In the loose forwards I strongly expect Jacobson over Papalii. I'd like to see Kirifi over Lio Willie but wouldn't be surprised if Razor picks him. I really want to see Big Jim in the mix too, and would expect Narwara over JRK.
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I'm curious why we haven't seen more of Paps during Razor's reign, would have thought he'd like that style of player, big, strong defensively, good motor and commitment, tackle machine. Maybe Paps had some injuries at key moments last year.
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@SouthernMann said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@SouthernMann said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Just not an All Black.
That's how I feel about JRK
I'm not sure on whether JRK is there either. I'm just reading on the basis of timing on announcements, and what isn't being stated. I think he has the potential to be a strong 14/15. He just needs an injury free season.
I get the upside potential of JRK - I just worry about his decision making - he seems a bit flaky to me.
